Staffordshire County Council was today named as one of the worst performing in the West Midlands in a report showing taxpayers if they are getting value for money.
The authority, along with Sandwell Borough Council, received just two stars out of four in the Audit Commission report, released today.
It comes as Staffordshire County Council yesterday revealed it was planning to put up its share of council tax charges by an inflation-busting four per cent.
In the Audit Commission report, both councils were described as making good progress in working on their performance.
Staffordshire County Council was described as “improving well”.
But the authority received the same two star rating in the Audit Commission’s annual report last year and the year before.
Last year, the commission’s overall judgement was that the county council was “improving adequately”.
Staffordshire County Council leader Councillor John Taylor welcomed today’s report.
He said: “This is cast iron evidence that we are making excellent progress in improving the way we deliver services to the people of Staffordshire.”
The Audit Commission, which awards ratings from zero to four stars, was set up to show taxpayers how councils are performing in key areas – and where they are falling short.
Sandwell Borough Council was this year described as “improving strongly” after moving up from last year’s one star rating, when it was shamed as “inadequate”.
The authority was this year judged to be good for social care, housing and the environment and was praised for all three, but was still said to be in need of improvements for providing culture.
The best result this year was in Dudley, with the council getting the maximum four star rating from inspectors, with social care for adults and benefits judged to be “excellent” services.
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton City Council retained a three star rating and was deemed to be ‘improving well’, with high recommendations for services for children and young people, social care for adults, the environment and helping people on benefits.
Walsall also got three stars for the second year in a row and was described as “improving well”.
Worcestershire County Council retained its four star rating and, according to the Audit Commission, the children and young people’s services were judged as one of the best in the country.
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